Did Prost deserve the 1988 title more?

[Antonov]

Senna won the title, but Prost had 11 more points in the standings.

Would have been better, maybe, to have Prost win '88 and Senna '89?

[Everso Biggyballies]

Senna won the title, but Prost had 11 more points in the standings.

Would have been better, maybe, to have Prost win '88 and Senna '89?

Why? They both knew the way the pointscore was calculated. It is the same method (best 11 results) the pointscore had been since 1981, and continued until all scores were included from 1991. Prior to 1981 it was the best 5 from the first half and best 5 from the second half of the seasons races (albeit adjusted if the calendar had odd or even number of races for the year). The split season points had been in place since 1967 when the calendar first moved into double figures in race terms.

[Antonov]

oh... for some reason I thought '88 was an exception, and that the best 11 results only counted for that year.

So 1981 - 1990 (inclusive) were only the best 11 races?

I think I understand now better why Senna was so over the moon winning in Suzuka 1989 (before being disqualified).

[Everso Biggyballies]

From 1950 to 1991 the WDC had always been a best number of races in some format..... 1950 it was the best 4 results from the 7 races!
Of course in the early days the reasons were because very few drivers and teams contested all rounds.
1991 was I believe the first year ever that all races counted for the WDC. As it was the first season the winner scored 10 points.

[Antonov]

so eg. 1984 was also on the basis of the best 11 races?

[Everso Biggyballies]

so eg. 1984 was also on the basis of the best 11 races?

Erm, yes, as has been stated.

They both knew the way the pointscore was calculated. It is the same method (best 11 results) the pointscore had been since 1981, and continued until all scores were included from 1991.

[LaraCroft2016]

Well, Senna gave away two victories in a silly way, one for Prost in Monaco and one for Berger in Italy, it would be unfair the one with more pole positions (13) and more victories loses the title at the end. Senna had problems in Portugal and Jerez despite of it he scores some points there, Senna could have ended 2nd perfectly in both races instead of 6th and 4th, so that's why the difference in points at the end. Senna had to suffer a lot in Japan to win by the way.

[Antonov]

so in 1991 results from all races counted towards the championship ?

[Everso Biggyballies]

so in 1991 results from all races counted towards the championship ?

Yes, at the risk of repeating myself, all scores counted in 1991.

......., and continued until all scores were included from 1991.

and again earlier in the thread

......continued until all scores were included from 1991.

[Antonov]

thanks! thought I'd double check.

[erwin greven]

from wikipedia:

A change to the points system in 1991 saw the winning driver now awarded 10 points instead of 9 as previously. More significantly, points from all races would now count towards the championship, instead of only each driver's best eleven results as previously.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_FIA_ ... ampionship